(And the children of Israel went up and wept before the LORD until even, and asked counsel of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up again to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother? And the LORD said, Go up against him.)
The Israelites went up to God and cried before Him until evening, asking for His guidance. They said, 'Should we go to war again against our relatives, the tribe of Benjamin?' And the Lord answered, 'Yes, go fight against them.'
The Israelites are seeking God's direction about whether to continue fighting their fellow Israelites from Benjamin, and God tells them to proceed with the battle.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Judges, the Israelites were facing a civil war against the tribe of Benjamin after a horrific crime in Gibeah, where a Levite's concubine was abused and killed, leading the other tribes to demand justice. After an initial defeat in battle, the Israelites demonstrated their reliance on God by weeping and seeking His guidance before continuing the fight. This event highlights the chaotic era of the judges, when Israel lacked a centralized leader and often turned to God in times of crisis.
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